Page 80

Chapter33

A surgeof dark magic prickled Evander’s skin and sent the floor trembling beneath their feet before he could reply.

Cecillia lurched unsteadily.

“What on earth?!”she gasped.

Evander came to a decision.“Come with us!”he requested urgently to the professor.“There’s a dark mage in the building.He’s attacking Comte Beaulieu.I could do with your assistance!”

Horror widened Cecillia’s eyes.It was followed swiftly by understanding.

“Of course!”

Evander’s gaze switched to her detail.“I want you to guard the entrance to the south wing,” he instructed swiftly.“Make sure no one goes in or out.You have my permission to use offensive magic if need be.”

The officers bobbed their heads tensely.“Yes, your Grace.”

Cecillia grabbed the skirts of her dress and followed Evander and his group.

“Is the headmaster in the building?”Evander asked.

“No,” Cecillia replied with a shake of her head.“He was called to a meeting at the Ministry of Arcane Affairs.He asked me to cover for him, hence why I’m here.”

Evander told her about Shaw finding a strange magical trace as they hurried towards the lecture halls, carefully omitting any mention of the secret chamber beneath Whitley’s lab.

“You believe this is the work of whoever kidnapped Walter?”Cecillia asked, shooting an anxious look his way.

“We’re about to find out,” Evander said in a hard voice.

The air grew chilly when they approached the section of the south wing that contained the classrooms.By the time they reached the hall where muffled explosions originated, their breaths were misting in front of their faces.

The bitter taste of dark magic rolled across Evander’s tongue as they stopped in front of the double doors, the stench so foul it made his stomach roil.Even though he couldn’t see the barrier blocking them, he could sense it with his magic.

Power bubbled through his veins.He lifted a hand and sent a burst of fire magic into the invisible wall.The runes making up the barrier sizzled into life at the same time the flames of his magic cleared some of the noxious air.

His heart sank.

The spell was complex—not just a standard protection ward, but woven from dark magic and something he couldn’t put a finger on.He clenched his jaw.

“Whoever created this is incredibly skilled,” Cecillia said in a voice full of dread.

She jumped when a muted crash came from beyond the doors.

A shout reached them faintly.

Evander’s chest tightened at the panic lacing Leon’s voice.

“Stand back!”he commanded.

Evander waited until his companions had backpedalled several steps before placing his palm in front of the barrier and reaching for his magic.

Wind flowed through him, lightening his body and ruffling his hair.The air began to stir, the currents swirling faster and faster until they formed a concentrated vortex around him.Heat blossomed inside his chest with his next breath.The fire that raced along his veins warmed his blood and made the vortex shimmer and spark.

He channelled his elemental powers into the barrier with a roar.

The flame storm that erupted from his hand raced across the corrupt wall with a boom that shook the corridor and sent the others sliding backward.

Cecillia gasped at the sight where she leaned into the wind.